Futures Mixed in Reaction to Int'l Headlines; AbbVie, Shire Deal

The futures markets are mixed this morning as news of the Malaysian Airlines plane shot down in the Ukraine and tensions in Gaza dominate investors minds.

The futures markets are mixed this morning as news of the Malaysian airline being shot down in the Ukraine and tensions in Gaza dominate investors minds. The markets fell in Thursday's session in reaction to the news. In the equities markets, tech stocks are in focus. Google grew ad revenue, but earnings were under pressure in the latest quarter due to heavy spending. IBM saw revenue decline for the ninth straight quarter as it couldn't grow revenue from services and software as much as analysts had expected. A California jury indicts shipping giant accusing it of conspiring to deliver prescription drugs for illegal Internet pharmacies. AbbVie expected to announce the biggest deal of the year as it buys UK based Shire Pharmaceuticals. It will cut its tax bill by reincorporating in the UK, much to the chagrin of folks in Washington.